Lawrence

What's New at Lawrence

WICHITA — The new Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottagehas a Wichita connection dating to the 1800s, but even co-president Kemper Isely wasn’t fully aware of it until the Colorado chain started preparing to open here.

The store opens the day before Thanksgiving in the former Borders Books space at 1715 N. Rock Road.

Isely’s parents, Philip and Margaret Isely, started the chain as a regional grocery in 1955. Philip Isely is a Montezuma, Kan., native. Kemper Isely knew that, but he didn’t realize his great uncle William Henry Isely’s importance to Wichita State University.